Blogs

"I thought I could write," Anne Bardsley wrote. "EBWW gave me my wings."

Joanne Brokaw quickly tapped out a heartfelt essay about how the EBWW changed her life.

We had so much fun - and were so inspired by the creativity of the testimonials and "UNselfies" posted by Erma champions on #GivingTuesday last year - that we're going to do it again.

The Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop will kick off the season of giving by asking those who support the workshop to make a gift and post an UNselfie on social media to encourage others to give on #GivingTuesday, Nov. 28.

#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to make a difference in the lives of others and the causes they support.

"The size of the gift doesn't matter. We'd love to see broad support from all those who love the workshop and believe in its future. All funds will be used to help keep the workshop affordable for writers," said Teri Rizvi, founder and director. "Please help us honor Erma in a way that will allow us to reach as widely and as powerfully as her writing and humor have."

Check out our Facebook album of 2016 "Erma Champions" and get to work making your #UNselfie. Here are step-by-step instructions for creating your sign:

1) Download blank Unselfie sign. Share how you are giving back or why you give on the UNselfie sign.

2) Say "cheese!" Hold up the #UNSelfie sign and take your selfless selfie.

3) Share your #UNselfie on social media and encourage your friends to give.

4) Or make it easy on yourself and download one of our Erma #UNselfie signs to use at your photo shoot: I Found My Tribe at EBWW, You Can Write!, Inspiration or Erma Rocks!

5) We plan to compile a Facebook album again, so please send your #UNselfie to erma@udayton.edu.

To make an online gift, click here. Checks can be mailed to the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop, University of Dayton, 300 College Park, Dayton, OH 45469-7054. If you or your spouse works for a matching gift company, the impact of your gift may be doubled or tripled. Please check here or your human resources office for details.

"We're continually amazed and inspired by the generosity of all involved in the Erma Bombeck Writers' Workshop," Rizvi said. "It's a community of talented, supportive writers who encourage and empower each other. It's a workshop that keeps on giving, and we're grateful to all - keynoters, faculty, attendees and friends of the workshop - for their support."